NEXT STOP: Motherhood, Editorials From Your Founder

Talk about one of the most life changing experiences you could ever have, parenthood is it!

As I am writing this editorial, I can't help but share I am having writers block as my life has taken a huge turn of events in a beautiful way but also an overwhelming way. My original fur mom and business owner life now has a human baby. My priorities and my life have COMPLETELY shifted. What usually took me 1-6 hours to do now can take me days. As my little guy is currently sleeping on my shoulder, at 4.5 months, all I can say is that this age is by far one of my favorites!! These are some of the most amazing moments you could ever have. I think the first four months were some of the hardest moments I have ever experienced in my life. The minimal sleep factor was exhausting. No matter how much help you can have, for someone who loves routine you need to learn PATIENCE and FLEXIBILITY!

The importance of really finding your "birth tribe" as my doulas say, could not have been more important during this time.

I am so grateful to my Birth Doula and Newborn Care Specialist. You can read more about (Capstone Doula Services and Gentle Giraffes Newborn Care + Family Services) in this issue as well! Having a Birth Doula is so KEY to speak on your behalf and know the ins and outs of questions to ask, positions you can try, calm and relax you during an overwhelming and stressful time.

Your Birth Doula is there for YOU, your partner and or friend/family member. The hospitals are amazing but at the end of the day they have tons of other patients to attend too. They also help prep you for your birth, things to put in your birth bag not only for you but for your partner. They share signs to know when you are heading into labor and movements to help dilate the baby faster.

Even with all my prep work, we were never prepared that my labor would be 36 hours. Knowledge is power and It is better to know you have options rather than feeling pressured to make immediate decisions.

It is so crazy to think no matter how intense our experiences are, it completely stops as soon as the baby is born! Our little AJ (Andrew Jr.) was born on the 24th of November. There is also this new role you take on as a parent and business owner. Who you are now versus who you use to be. Your priorities change. Your body changes. You can be one of the most reliable people on the planet and still not get your to-do lists completed the way they use to. I truly never realized how flexible my life was until I had my son! Those late nights of going out with your friends and family, watching endless TV /Netflix series, The flexibility to schedule work meetings, sleeping in.. that is DEFINITELY something that takes a backseat at least in the early years.